Reiki pronounced ‘ray key’ is a natural system of healing. Many reiki practitioners and teachers believe that this universal life force energy is, quite simply, the power of unconditional love. Although reiki’s roots are in Buddhist qigong, it is not part of any religious belief system. Anyone can learn to give reiki if their intention is pure; and anyone or anything can receive it.

The Eastern tradition that gave birth to reiki teaches that we are multi-dimensional beings, not merely a physical body. To be truly healthy all parts of our being, body, mind, emotions and spirit need to be clear and in balance. The pressures of modern living are constantly causing imbalances in our personal energy (‘qi’) and so we often feel low and depleted. It is in this state that our immune system comes under severe stress. This stress will manifest on some level of our being, possibly as physical pain or sickness, but often as mental illness such as depression, or emotional problems like fear or anxiety. 

What is a Reiki Master?

The reiki practitioner acts as a bridge or transformer to reconnect the recipient to the universal life energy by channelling the reiki energy through their hands. The hands are usually placed gently on the body in hand positions which may correspond to the seven major chakras of the body (energy centres found in various areas of your body). However, experienced reiki practitioners often work intuitively and allow their hands to be drawn to those parts of the body which require healing. The touch is generally light and soothing; sometimes the treatment is performed without physical touch – the hands are held slightly above the body. 

There are three levels of training to become a reiki master. These are referred to as the first, second and master degrees. At each of these degrees the student receives ‘attunements’ to the reiki energy from their reiki master teacher. These attunements gradually bring the higher vibrations of the reiki energy into the energy field of the student. 

At first degree level a student learns to use reiki to heal themselves and others. The emphasis is on physical healing. At second degree level they are taught ‘keys’ or ‘symbols’ to enable them to heal on the emotional and mental levels. They also learn ‘distance healing’. This means that they are able to treat others who are geographically located at a distance. At this point many students take an advanced reiki training to learn more techniques and to further build up the amount of reiki energy they can channel. A practitioner who is qualified to master level takes responsibility for their own healing and learns to help others deal with soul issues. They also learn to pass attunements to teach or ‘attune’ others to reiki. 

Reiki can be used for many purposes, including healing animals, places and situations.

Extract taken from Complementary Therapies - The Essential Guide. For more information on what reiki is all about, take a look at the book - available now in eBook and printed book formats. Buy the printed version and get the eBook free!